Best Time To Visit Fort Lauderdale (For A Relaxing Florida Vacation)

Fort Lauderdale, FL is an excellent destination to plan a vacation. This city is the perfect balance of relaxation and excitement. If you’re interested in traveling to Flordia, you may be wondering when the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale is.

January through March is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale. Winter has beautiful weather, with daily highs ranging from 75 to 78 F/ 24 to 25.5 C. There are fun events, like Las Olas Art Fair and Pride Fort Lauderdale. January is also a cheaper time to visit because you can save over $100 on flights.

If you want to visit Fort Lauderdale, you’ve come to the right page. Today, we’re going to discuss some of the best times to visit this location. We will also give you a month-by-month breakdown of why you should visit.

When You Shouldn’t Visit Fort Lauderdale

June through September offer the least desirable weather conditions for travelers. This is the peak of Fort Lauderdale’s rainy season. Visitors often have to cancel their plans for the day and stay indoors.

The rainy season in Fort Lauderdale can get intense at times throughout the summer. It’s common to experience heavy rainfall. The area is known to get hurricanes this time of year as well.

The summer months are also very hot and humid in Fort Lauderdale. Many days will bring temperatures that are above 90 F/ 32 C.

March is the busiest month for tourism. You can expect more crowds when you visit attractions and restaurants. Hotel rates will also be higher this time of year.

Cheapest Time To Visit Fort Lauderdale

September is the cheapest time to visit Fort Lauderdale. During this month you will be able to get a lower rate on hotel rooms and discounted flights. If you are flying domestically, you can find the lowest rates, with flights under $100.

While September is the cheapest time to fly, good discounts on flights can also be found in January and April. International travelers often find the best rates for January flights. It’s possible for Canadian travelers to find round flights for as low as $138 in January.

One of the good things about visiting Fort Lauderdale is that there is lodging for all budgets. However, rates do fluctuate throughout the year. The lowest rates can be found in May through September.

Royal Beach Palace is a budget-friendly hotel in Fort Lauderdale. From May through September, rates can be found as low as $92 per night. This hotel is also known to offer deals in summer with rooms as low as $75.

However, the rates begin to rise in October when rooms are between $140 and $207. During the Christmas season, rates increase. From January through April, the average rate of a room is $148 per night.

Related Read: 17 BEST High-End Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Best Time To Visit Fort Lauderdale: Monthly Breakdown

January: Time To Enjoy The Sun

January is the best time of year to escape to snow and soak up the sun in Fort Lauderdale. This city gets 9 hours of sunshine each day throughout the month of January. It’s the perfect time of year to relax by the beach.

Fort Lauderdale gets the least amount of rain in January. Visiting this time of year allows people to explore more of the outdoor attractions. This is a great time to visit Secret Woods Nature Center or Bill Keith Preserve Park.

The Las Olas Art Fair Part 1 is held in January. This event is free to visit. It showcases the artwork of all mediums. Each year, over 200 artists are brought in to put their work on display. Guests can see and buy artwork, woodwork, jewelry, and more.

• Las Olas Art Fair
• Secret Wood Nature Center
• Beach days

February: Love Is In the Air

February is all about romance in Fort Lauderdale. Visitors can book Valentine's Day package getaway. The annual pride celebration is also held in February.

Pride Fort Lauderdale is a weekend event that takes place every year. This festival features a parade, live entertainment, and vendors. The event kicks off on a Friday night with a concert by the beach.

Fort Lauderdale has an excellent culinary scene. There are several romantic restaurants in the area to make reservations for Valentine’s dinner. Some of the top-rated places are Ocean 2000 and Wild Sea on Las Olas.

Couples can also spend the evening on a dinner cruise. Riverfront Gondola Tours is one of the best-rated cruises. They are partnered with Casa Sensei to offer guests first-class entrees.

• Valentine’s Day
• Dinner Cruise
• Pride Fort Lauderdale

Related Read: 20 BEST Airboat Tours in the Everglades

March: Best Month For Water Adventures

March offers sunny days and warm temperatures in Fort Lauderdale. Most days will have highs of 77 to 80 F/ 25 to 26.5 C. These are ideal conditions for swimming and other water activities.

There are several family-friendly beaches in the area. If you’re interested in water activities, jet skiing is very popular in the area. Visitors can rent jet skis from Jet Ski Fort Lauderdale and Jet Ski Rentals Fort Lauderdale.

Sea Rocket Water Adventures offers a variety of activities. This includes boat tours and parasailing. They also offer kayak and floating lounge rentals.

The St Patricks Day Parade and Festival is also held in March. This festival includes events like races, Irish dancing, and live music.

• Jet skiing
• St Patricks Day
• Sea Rocket Water Adventures

April: Last Month Of Dry Season

April is the last month of clear skies in Fort Lauderdale. If you want a trip filled with outdoor fun, it’s a good idea to visit in April. The weather is still beautiful, with days getting as high as 85 F/ 29.5 C and nights as low as 55 F/ 12.5 C.

These are great weather conditions for camping. There are several camping locations in Fort Lauderdale for families to choose from. Paradise Island RV Resort and Kozy Kampers are two great campsites to check out.

The Las Olas Wine and Food Festival is held in April. Many local restaurants participate by showcasing a dish. It’s a great way to sample food from local culinary talent. There’s also a wine list with over 100 wines.

Easter is a lot of fun in Fort Lauderdale. If you’re in the area over Easter weekend, you can enjoy the Spring Fling Eggstravaganza. There are several places hosting Easter brunch and families can bring kids to public egg hunt events.

• Camping
• Las Olas Wine and Food Festival
• Spring Fling Eggstravaganza

Related Read: 15 Best Beaches in Miami for Families

May: Best Time For A Quiet Trip

May is a good month to visit if you want to avoid crowds. This is because May is considered an in-between month. You get to avoid the busy winter tourist season, but it’s also before the summer break visitors arrive.

The weather in May begins to get warmer. Visitors can expect a chance of rain, but it’s not as wet as in the months to come. The average daily high is 86 F/ 30 C.

A lot of visitors look forward to beach days when they visit in May. The beaches are very relaxing and a lot less crowded than they were in winter.

If you’re looking for a fun activity, we suggest Sea Experience Glassbottom Snorkel and Scuba Adventures. One of the best ways to experience the clear blue waters of Fort Lauderdale is on a glass bottom boat.

• Glass bottom boat tour
• Cool treats from Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream
• Relax at Fort Lauderdale Beach

June: Best Month For Arts And Culture

June is one of the best months to enjoy arts and culture in Fort Lauderdale. You can expect more rainy days throughout the month. When it’s sunny, the temperatures can get very hot, 87 to 89 F/ 30.5 to 31.5 C.

This time of year, visitors often want to get out of the sun and into a place with air conditioning. Luckily, there are several great spots in Fort Lauderdale where visitors can see art and learn more about the city’s history.

Stranahan House is one of the top-rated historic museums in the area. This building was built in 1901. Visitors can get a guided tour where they learn more about the rich history of how this city was built.

Art enthusiasts have a lot of great places to choose from to see what local talent has created. National Geographic Fine Art Galleries is a favorite destination. New River Gallery and Seldom Seen Gallery also have some inspiring pieces.

• Visit Stranahan House
• Tour art galleries
• Drinks at Elbo Room

July: Enjoy Indoor Attractions

July is one of the best months to enjoy indoor attractions and activities. Fort Lauderdale gets an average of 21 to 22 rainy days throughout July. It’s also very hot, with the daily average around 89 F/ 31.5 C.

There is still a lot to keep you entertained in Fort Lauderdale. Invasive Species Brewing is a local brewery with a variety of different types of beers. Westfield Broward is a mall that has something for everyone. There are also several spas in the area as well, like Casbah Spa and Salon and The Spa at Auberge Beach.

• Invasive Species Brewing
• Shop at Westfield Broward
• Get pampered at the spa

August: Peak Of Wet Season

August is another month to enjoy indoor attractions. Daily highs are around 89 F/ 31.5 C with many rainy days. It’s a good month to try out local restaurants and meet people at bars and pubs.

If you’re looking for a fun activity with kids, we recommend Xtreme Action Park. This place has fun for all ages. It’s an indoor adventure park with bowling, go-karts, virtual reality games, and so much more.

• Xtreme Action Park
• Drinks at Waxy’s Irish Pub
• Dinner at Gilbert’s 17th Grill

Related Read: 20 Best Clear Water Beaches in Florida

September: Best Rates And No Crowds

September is one of the quietest months to visit Fort Lauderdale. Since the weather is wet and hot with a chance of hurricanes, it’s not a popular time to visit. If there are attractions on your Fort Lauderdale bucket list, this is a good time to visit them.

Visitors can watch Live entertainment at Parker Playhouse. They can sample different beers at Gulf Stream Brewing Company. People can also play escape games at Escape-topia. There’s a lot to do on rainy days.

• Escape-topia
• Shop at Coral Ridge Mall
• Dinner at Steak 954

October: End Of Wet Season

October is the last month of the rainy season in Fort Lauderdale. While there are still wet days, it’s less than in previous months. Temperatures are also more comfortable, with averages around 82 F/ 28 C.

Halloween spirit is high around the city. Adults can participate in the annual Halloween Pub Crawl. MSC Cruises hosts a Halloween Cruise. Visitors can also watch the Halloween Spooktacular 5K and 10K marathons.

• Coffee at Brew Next Door
• Halloween Pub Crawl
• Halloween Cruise

November: Best Month Of Autumn

November has the best weather of all autumn months in Fort Lauderdale. There are many clear days and the average temperature is around 79 F/ 26 C. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities again, like hiking and beach days.

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is in November. This event features a variety of films, including indie, international, studio films, and more.

If you are visiting over Thanksgiving weekend, there are several restaurants that offer mouth-watering seasonal dinners. We recommend booking a reservation at Burlock Coast, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, or Shooter’s Waterfront.

• Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
• Thanksgiving
• Black Friday shopping

December: Holidays In Fort Lauderdale

If you want a sunny Christmas vacation, Fort Lauderdale is the place to be. Days throughout December are very comfortable, with the average daily high being 76 F/ 24.5 C. The city is also decorated for the holiday season, to put everyone in the spirit.

One tradition everyone looks forward to is the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. This event features decorated boats traveling along the coastline.

Some of Fort Lauderdale’s main attractions are decked out for the holidays. Places like Las Olas and Stranahan House have an extra dash of charm this time of year.

If you’re visiting to do some Christmas shopping at one of the malls, we suggest visiting a local cafe for a coffee break. Places like Magnolia Caffee and Wells Coffee have nearly perfect reviews.

• Enjoy holiday decorations
• Christmas shopping
• Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade